Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
March 21, 2012
Contact:
Trooper Russ Winger
Phone:
(360) 473-0113
Cell:
(360) 265-1332
E-mail:
russel.winger@wsp.wa.gov
Twitter:
@wspd8pio
Hit and Run Suspect Bites Trooper’s Hand, Then Claims Has AIDS
Purdy -- What started out as a routine arrest turned into a trip to the emergency room for a blood test and medical treatment for a Kitsap County trooper this morning. The trooper was bitten on the hand today while assisting another trooper subduing a combative suspect.
The suspect was in custody for a hit and run collision, handcuffed in the back of the patrol vehicle when he became increasingly combative. The 23 year old male from Tacoma, upon being placed in the patrol car, was able to kick out the rear passenger door and window before troopers were able to restrain him. As the troopers were attempting to gain control through the use of TLR (Total Limb Restraints), straps that confine movement, the suspect was able to lean over and bite the trooper on the hand. The bite and injury was severe enough to break the skin and draw blood. Complicating matters was that the suspect boasted that he had AIDS. The suspect has a previous history of combative behavior and threats to law enforcement.
At 8:11 this morning, troopers responded to a three-vehicle collision in the Gorst area on SR-3 south of Bremerton. Victims called WSP dispatchers to report that the suspect had fled the area in a gold colored van, east bound on SR-16 toward Tacoma. While a trooper made contact with victims at the scene, dispatchers received a call from another motorist traveling east bound SR-16. The caller, report that a van matching the description of the suspect vehicle had been tailgating him so closely that he was nearly forced off the roadway. The suspect vehicle then exited the highway at Purdy according to the caller.
Within minutes, troopers located the suspect vehicle near Purdy Lane and 144th Street where they stopped the van. The male driver was arrested for the Hit and Run Collision, but the troopers were unable to complete any field sobriety tests due to his combative behavior. The driver was then booked into the Kitsap County jail on charges of Felony 3rd Degree Assault on an officer, Hit and Run, and No Valid Driver License.
The injured trooper drove to Saint Anthony’s Hospital for treatment of the injured hand, where he was treated and released. Troopers obtained a blood sample from the suspect to screen for communicable diseases due to the subjects statement about having AIDS.